November 8, 2026 - 1 Corinthians 4-7

Paul follows up his concern about the cliques and party-ism in the Corinthian church by writing about his stewardship of the ministry God gave him and then asking an important question:  “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (4:7)  It seems as though the Corinthians were patting themselves on the back and boasting about their achievements.  Paul not only reminds them that all they have has been given to them but he also mocks them:  “Already you have all you want!  Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings!” (4:8)  Oh, they thought very highly of themselves, very highly, indeed!  Paul continued, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute” (4:10).  Then, not in an arrogant manner but with a strong desire that whatever Christ-like manners they see in him would be replicated in them:  “I urge you, then, be imitators of me” (4:16).  Good reminders that all good we have and anything good we do, it is because God works in us.  In another place, Paul sums up the argument quite nicely:  “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

He leadeth me: O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be,

still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;

by his own hand he leadeth me:

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,

nor ever murmur nor repine;

content, whatever lot I see,

since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.   --J. H. Gilmore (1862)